Revelstoke’s Mountain Coaster and Banff’s Via Ferrata

In an effort to expand their recreational options to other seasons, Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia have installed a metal rail that weaves through trees and down a hill.

To enjoy the rail, you sit on a gondola to a top station and then you sit in a seat that slides down along the metal rail. It drops nearly 300 metres and goes about 40 km/hr. For more see here.

Other ski hills in North America have expanded their user options beyond skiing because the winters are shorter than ever and ski hill operation costs are high. Many hills allow downhill mountain biking, and Norquay near Banff has installed a via ferrata.

The lader climbs are popular in Europe and more are expected to pop up in Canada. While neither the coaster nor the via ferrata are of interest to technical climbers and are easy to criticize, but offer fun ways for non climbers to experience the mountains. For more see here.